Tumble Science Podcast for Kids The Minecraft Experiment
Dec 12, 2025
Charley Wu, a cognitive scientist, dives into the fascinating intersection of video games and learning. He discusses how he crafted a Minecraft experiment to explore human learning behaviors, leveraging the game's engaging nature to collect insightful data. Listeners will discover how players demonstrate social learning by observing others for rewards. Plus, Charley shares advice for kids on embracing diverse experiences to become flexible learners. It's a captivating journey from gaming to cognitive science!
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From Lego And Play To A Dream Job
- Charley Wu describes being a kid who loved playing outside, video games, and Lego which steered him toward making games for science.
- He now gets paid to build games and have people play them, calling it a dream job that grew from childhood interests.
Games Reveal Real Learning Behavior
- Cognitive scientists study the mind and learning, and Charley focuses on curiosity and problem solving.
- He chose a different approach by using engaging games instead of boring lab tasks to study real learning behavior.
The Pumpkin-Smashing Experiment
- Charley built a Minecraft mini-game where players smash pumpkins and watermelons to reveal blue reward puffs.
- Rounds lasted two minutes and rewards were either randomly placed or clustered, forcing quick strategy choices.